广东提起首宗老年人权益保护消费民事公益诉讼

Core Viewpoint - The Guangdong Consumer Council has initiated a civil public interest lawsuit against a company involved in elder fraud, seeking over 15 million yuan in punitive damages, marking a significant step in protecting the rights of elderly consumers in China [1][2] Group 1: Case Background - The lawsuit is the first of its kind in Guangdong aimed at protecting the rights of elderly consumers and is also the first public interest lawsuit by a consumer association in the country related to elder fraud [1] - The fraudulent activities involved misleading advertising that lured elderly individuals into purchasing health products, with the company operating multiple stores across ten cities in Guangdong [1] Group 2: Characteristics of the Fraud - The fraudulent scheme lasted nearly five years, from 2018 to 2022, during which the company sold various food and health products at low prices [1] - The company employed deceptive tactics such as "low-price massages" and "free meals" to attract elderly customers, exploiting their health concerns to sell ineffective health products [1] - The total sales volume exceeded 100 million yuan, indicating the scale of the fraudulent activities [1] Group 3: Legal Actions and Implications - The local prosecution initiated the case in June 2023, leading to a court ruling that found the involved parties guilty of fraud, prompting the Consumer Council to file a civil public interest lawsuit [2] - The Consumer Council is seeking triple punitive damages and has encouraged affected consumers to pursue collective lawsuits, aiming to enhance awareness and reduce similar disputes in the future [2] - The lawsuit aims to deter malicious business practices against the elderly and promote a safer consumer environment, contributing to the healthy development of the "silver economy" [2]